tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19873999969209118552024-02-19T05:18:44.081-08:00HOPEFUL WANDERINGHopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.comBlogger442125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-88521631316504578102019-07-04T11:48:00.000-07:002019-07-04T11:49:16.774-07:00Guess who's back, back again!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi everyone!</div>
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It's been awhile.</div>
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Since 2017 in fact!</div>
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So much has changed and so much has remained the same.</div>
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Remember when Blogging was THE THING?<br />
Now we're all living life over on Instagram Stories.<br />
It's cool, things change.<br />
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That being said, I regularly feel this pull back to my blog.<br />
We've been through so much together.<br />
And I miss it!<br />
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Remember those two kids that fell in love 4,000 miles apart?<br />
Well, they've just celebrated their third year of marriage!<br />
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That's right, Tom and I are killing this whole marriage thing!<br />
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We recently moved into a new apartment and are slowly decorating the place to feel like home.<br />
We never decorated our last place. We knew it was only a temporary spot for us and we wanted to wait until we were in something more permanent. Not that this apartment is permanent but I foresee at least another two years here.<br />
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We have a great view, the apartment layout is perfect and we are in a wonderful location that's close to where we both work. It's the perfect place for this time in our lives.<br />
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I'm excited to show off a few areas of our apartment that we've already completed or partially completed. I have a lot of plans! I'll share what we've done along with some inspiration I've found.</div>
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Honestly, if I could decorate for a living I'd be thrilled. </div>
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I love it!</div>
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I'll save all of that for another post.</div>
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Tom and I are currently getting ready for a pretty major trip.</div>
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We're headed to Cyprus for two weeks and I CAN'T WAIT!</div>
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We'll be meeting up with Tom's side of the Family for a well deserved long holiday.</div>
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I have never been to Cyprus, let alone that far away from Texas, but it looks amazing and I'm sure we will have the best time after we recover from the 48 hour trip to get there. Ha!</div>
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A nap by the pool sounds like the perfect remedy for a long trip and a bit of jetlag!</div>
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Catch y'all later! (I promise)</div>
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Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-3968663649186335462017-10-11T10:35:00.001-07:002019-07-04T09:09:15.850-07:00Life update - Dogs and DreamsHello friends, It's been a few months so I felt it was high time to post a little life update.<br />
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Let's jump right in.<br />
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We got a new dog. As you know we've had Winston for almost 3 years now. He is the doggy love of my life. I never used to like dogs because i would always sneeze and itch around them. Turned out I just needed a hypoallergenic pooch. Once I got Win I was super freaked out, not knowing if i'd be able to love and care for him like i should. About two weeks after getting him I knew we were soulmates. I kind of had a grinch moment where my heart grew 10 sizes and i would forever be a dog lover after that. So i thought i would have no trouble getting a new dog, a second dog, a doggy bestie for Winston. But the same thing happened. I had a freak out moment right after we got Charlie.<br />
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So what started this whole second dog thing was my sister had a friend with a puppy in need. This sweet little nugget had been abandoned at the door of her friends home. I texted Tom and asked what he thought. Tom was on board instantly. We both had wanted to get another dog for a while so that Winston wouldn't be by himself so much. Unfortunately and fortunately the doggy found another home with another family. We were a bit heartbroken because we'd fallen in love with his sweet little face but now we knew that we were ready for that new addition.<br />
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Fast forward about two weeks later where we found a rescue nearby that had a dog named Charlie. Charlie is an approximately 3 year old maltese mix. He is white and fluffy and simply adorable. He's also completely blind. So as we were going over his file we had to decide if we were ready to not only take on a new dog but to take on a special dog. We didn't think on it for too long, we were smitten.<br />
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So we went to the rescue, met Charlie and took him home same day. I remember driving home with Charlie on Tom's lap and i just kept thinking to myself how much i already loved him. He was precious!!<br />
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Then we got him home..........and introduced him to Winston.......and i don't know if i was expecting a sweet bonding moment but that's not what happened.<br />
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Winston went full alpha and there were a few fights. A few fights between the dogs tore me apart. I thought we had made a huge mistake, i was sure that they hated each other and that we'd be dealing with fights on a daily basis. My heart cannot take doggy fights. Winston was attacked by a big lab on one of our walks and i have never been able to get over it. After I got Winston inside after the attack I was sobbing, on my knees just completely heart broken. Winston was 100% fine and so was the other dog but i was forever changed in that moment. I thought he was being ripped apart in front of me and the sound of the growling and squealing has just never left me. So these little fights between Charlie and Winston just killed me, i could not handle it. So every time it happened i would cry and ask Tom if it was all a mistake because i was so doubtful and then Tom, that sweet, strong guy had to basically tell me i was being crazy and that it was fine and that dogs fight and they get to know each other in weird ways and HE WAS RIGHT. So right. I was way way emotional and should have just chilled out.<br />
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Let me just say, never in a million years would we consider taking Charlie back. That wasn't even an option. We knew we might just have to work on some training, mostly with Winston. The issue wasn't coming from Charlie, it was all Winston. So we started working with him on his behavior and things started getting better pretty quickly.<br />
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And now I wouldn't say that they're besties but they definitely don't hate each other and the fights have stopped all together. Yay!!!<br />
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Winston still gets growly when Charlie tries to get on the couch with us but it never leads to anything and we always tell him off.<br />
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Now, Charlie is seriously one of the most precious little doggies. He's used to our apartment and rarely bumps into things anymore. He knows where his food and water are at and he has his own little bed for sleeping. He is the funniest player, he bounces up about an inch off the ground and just spins. He spins and bounces, spins and bounces. It's so funny. I need to get a video.<br />
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He loves treats, going on walks, wrestling with Tom, tickles, naps. I mean he's perfect.<br />
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When we go on walks we tell him up or down when he's coming up to a curb. It's so cute because when we say up he will take his leg and look for a step! I love it and him and i'm so happy we have him in our family.<br />
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Dreams include Christmas in the UK 2018. I told Tom's mum that we would be there this year and my heart is broken that we won't be able to. Money is lame.<br />
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Another dream is to move into a house with a yard for our dogs. I think I want a house more for my dogs than for myself. I want them to have a nice yard to play in and the apartment life is just not as good for them. I can't lie though, i also want a house! I've been on realtor's app everyday looking at houses for sale. The problem is we're in debt and can't make a down payment. Ha! It all comes together.<br />
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A problem with the whole house thing is I don't love the look of the houses in the Dallas Fort-Worth area. I have a house style in mind that i can't find here. PLUS the price of homes is crazy right now. I just can't fathom buying a home i'm not in love with. So we've got some things to consider. Do you know what <i>state</i> has cute affordable houses?...Georgia...You know another location that has cute homes?? The UK! Ha! But before we could ever even think about moving to Georgia or the UK we have to pay off debt so we can save money.<br />
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Speaking of the UK I just realized i haven't blogged about our trip to Wales in June or when Tom's family came to Texas in July.<br />
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i might surprise you with two blog posts published within days of each other. It's getting crazy around here. Ha!<br />
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Thanks for reading all of my ramblings. Be back soon!<br />
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<br />Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-8937235838601172582017-06-03T15:37:00.000-07:002017-06-03T15:38:09.270-07:00A little Life UpdateOh man, where to start?<br />
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It's been 6 months since my last post and a lot has happened. I will probably forget some things but i'm going to try to update you on the happenings of life these past couple of months.<br />
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But first, let's talk about the present. It's been June for a few days now and i think this might just be the best month of the entire year. Tom's birthday is in a few days and i can't wait to celebrate him. I've got a few crafty plans up my sleeve in order to give him a great 27th birthday!! 27 is crazy to think about, we met at 22...Has it really been almost 5 years?? So crazy!! I mean look at us, we were babies!!!! Remember skype dates..Ha! That was so long ago!!!<br />
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If Tom's birthday weren't enough excitement, we're also travelling back to the UK this month. This is the first time I've been back over since my 6 month rendezvous back in 2014. TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN!! I hadn't realized it had been so long. That's a little upsetting. I guess it makes sense though, Tom spent time here in 2015, then we saw each other again in Jamaica in 2016, where we got engaged. Then we got married almost 1 year ago. I have to refresh my memory because even though i lived it it's all very spread out and i often lose track of the when and the where. So it's been a while for me and i can't wait to get back. To be fair it's been a while for Tom as well. He's not been home in over a year thanks to a little thing called green card. You're pretty much stuck until the green card is delivered to you. More on that later...<br />
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I can't wait to get back to the UK. I'm so ready to see all of the friends and family that we've been missing. I'm also so excited to eat some Wagamama and pack my suitcase full of my favorite sweets and clothing from my favorite shops. It's going to be so magical.<br />
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But seriously, Wagamama needs to hit me up for a franchise in Dallas. Even if no one else ate there i would personally keep it in business!<br />
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While we're in the UK we will be spending a full week in Wales and a few days in Liverpool. I've never been to Wales so i'm excited to cross that off my list. We wish we had more days in Liverpool but we are planning a return trip at Christmas so we'll be back over very soon. Also Tom's family will be over here in August. They've rented a little house with a pool...so that's where we'll be while they're here!! I forsee glorious tans and delicious barbecues in our future.<br />
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Next on the list of exciting June moments is our one year anniversary. I cannot believe we've been married for a year. It has easily been the best year of my life. Getting to share it with Tom without worrying about when one of us has to leave to go home. It's been a dream and it's a dream that continues on because.. drum roll.. Tom has a green card.<br />
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The green card is one of the BIG things that's happened in the past couple of months. If you remember from the last post i was talking about how we dropped the ball. We didn't send the USCIS enough evidence and we got a letter back saying they needed more. Well we sent them a lot more, we probably went overboard but it doesn't matter because it worked.<br />
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We received the card in April and it's good for two years. We will need to reapply before it expires but we're not thinking about that just yet. So if you look back and think about this process, it's taken us about a year and a half to finalize everything. We started the process in November of 2015. A year and a half of paperwork and sending money to the USCIS. A year and a half of nerves because you never know if it will actually work out or not. That year and a half was rough but so worth it.<br />
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Tom can now work here and travel out of the country without having to apply for a visa to get back in. Life just got a whole lot easier and we are loving it.<br />
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Speaking of working, Tom changed jobs in late February. The bookstore job wasn't keeping him on since it was only a temp position. He quickly found a job at a little garden center nearby. He really likes it and it's not a bad gig while he tries to study for the history certification test. Teaching is still the plan he just needs time to study before he tries to go after the test.<br />
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Another newer plan is starting to take shape for both of us. As you know i've always loved the entrepreneur lifestyle. I think i've got Tom hooked on an idea and we're looking at making it happen.<br />
We will fill you in on the blog if anything comes from it. :)<br />
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As for me, I'm still working for The Container Store. My job role has changed and is changing a bit at the moment but for the most part i'm still designing closets. One of the cooler things I've started doing is PR designs for blogs and magazines. There are some things in the works and if i ever see the final product i'll post it here for y'all to see.<br />
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Let's see...what else is there. We are still in an apartment. I don't love apartment life but with that being said we just signed on for another year long lease. We're hoping to figure something else out next year. At least we'll definitely be moving from this apartment. Not that it's bad, it's just so expensive. We could live in a small house for what it costs to live in this apartment. But the apartment is close to work, for both of us..We just happen to work in an expensive part of North Texas where all apartments cost basically as much as house payments. Meh...rant over!<br />
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I'll finish it up with some exciting news. Tom got his learners permit for driving back in February. He has his driving test this Tuesday!! So wish him luck and send good vibes his way that he passes with flying colors. Right now he doesn't need a car. We live so close to his work that he can bike there in under 5 minutes. But it has been really nice to hand the wheels over to him. I'm no longer the sole driver and it's pretty amazing! ;)<br />
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I think that's all for now, i've probably forgotten loads of things but i'll try to do another update sooner rather than later.<br />
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Hope y'all have a great weekend!<br />
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EmilyHopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-28648318541868673072016-10-13T21:27:00.001-07:002016-10-13T21:27:41.801-07:00Love and marriage and visa's and a few wedding pictures!!Well hello everyone...or hello no one?? I'm not sure who's still around, if anyone but here I am anyhow!! It's been a while since i've blogged and so so much has happened. Life changing things like a full time job and a little thing called marriage. If you've been wondering where i've been for the past couple of months those two things sum it up best, full time job and marriage.<div>
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I'd like to also state that I'm very full from a giant pizza and the first Harry Potter film is on so if i start rambling or just fall asleep and accidentally hit publish then you'll know why. Just to be clear it's the pizza coma making me sleepy not Harry Potter.</div>
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Ok so let's start where we left off. I think I blogged about the fact that we got engaged and then I filled you all in on Tom's visa interview. Well spoiler alert...Tom made it to America which means he was in fact granted a visa! We also got married, yep we're officially hitched and have been for almost 4 months. </div>
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It's kind of surreal typing that out on this blog. 4 years ago I was just introducing you all to this guy that i met online and now we're married, living in a little apartment in Dallas trying to survive on one income. One income that brought tears tonight which is why we got a pizza...because when there's tears about money you should go spend that money on a pizza...and chocolate...and Dr. Pepper. See I'm already bringing this post full circle.</div>
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Let's go back to the fact that we're married and to get married we had a little wedding.</div>
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I will come back around and blog the wedding in more detail but for now you should know that it was wonderful, surreal and just pretty perfect especially since we planned it all in about a month and a half.</div>
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Here's a few pictures from the big day.</div>
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Funny story, a few hours before the wedding Tom and I ran into a nearby Target looking for a shirt and tie for him to wear in the ceremony. Yep, we're chill, so chill that I'm pretty sure i stopped to look in the dollar bins hours before I walked down the aisle. </div>
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My best friend Lauren came early to help me get ready and she commented on how calm and chill we were. When you are marrying the person you're meant for there's nothing in the world that could happen to make either of us stress or panic. We wanted to have a fun day celebrating our relationship and that's exactly what we did! </div>
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Like I said i'll blog a bit more on the wedding soon.</div>
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For now here's a little visa update for everyone. </div>
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We are in the middle of applying for Tom's green card. We sent everything out a few weeks ago. We've gone and gotten Tom's fingerprints taken and now we're gathering some additional proof to send off to the USCIS. We dropped the ball a bit and didn't send over everything we needed to so now we're scrambling a bit to get everything sent back over, correctly this time so that we won't have anything else slowing down the process.</div>
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Tom is antsy to start working and I'm antsy to have another income in the house. So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue this long journey, hopefully we make headway soon!!</div>
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That's all for now! More to come, I promise!!</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-45246343487481262172016-04-26T19:36:00.002-07:002016-04-26T19:36:35.470-07:00Visa Interview!!We started the Visa process last September. We filled out the information, we paid the money, we shipped off our relationship binder and waited. We thought the wait would be a few months but it only took a month to get the letter, the letter that said our case was moving forward!!<br />
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The next steps would happen in England. Tom went for his Medical appointment and then we waited for his interview appointment to be scheduled. Then we found out we missed a step and would have to send off some paperwork in order for Tom to get his interview appointment...So he did that and we waited and waited and waited annnnnnd waited....<br />
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Approximately 4 weeks after you fill out the paperwork you should get a letter from the Embassy with an interview date...4 weeks came and went, then 8 weeks, 12 weeks...no news.<br />
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We were freaking out. We called so many government phone numbers hoping someone could give us some info. There are SO many visa message boards and they were very helpful! We spoke to some helpful people but no one could tell us why it was taking so long.<br />
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I've followed along with some other couples cases and none of there's took this long. In fact a girl and her English Fiance filed for the visa after us and he's already moved to the USA...so something held ours up..not sure what it was but it was definitely something and it was driving us both a bit crazy!<br />
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Since we hadn't heard anything Tom decided to email the Embassy and ask about the status of the Interview Date. Well we heard back today and we have a date! An actual date!!! It seems all we needed to do was ask and poof we got a date!!<br />
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It feels like a weight has been lifted off us both. We thought for the longest time that we'd done something wrong and would have to start the process over again. But we don't, we got it, finally!!<br />
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Tom has his interview in London in two weeks!! Soon after that we can pick a date for him and his family to fly over for the wedding. We're thinking maybe mid to late June.<br />
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This is the best news. It's all finally happening. We've been waiting for this for so long!!<br />
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I took a trip back in time last week, by back in time I mean I clicked on one of my first blog posts...the one where i introduced Tom to all of you. How crazy is all of this. Two young kids meet online, fall in love, travel the world, get married. It's kind of a fairytale ;)<br />
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We are both so excited!! I can't wait to share everything that's coming in the next few weeks!!!Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-64827856715369982252016-04-20T19:46:00.001-07:002016-04-21T16:51:20.693-07:00We're Engaged!!! I got home last night after a wonderful, amazing, life changing week in Jamaica.<br />
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The trip itself was to celebrate Tom's Sister and new Brother in law, they got married last wednesday in a stunning wedding overlooking our incredible resort in Negril.</div>
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The wedding wasn't the only super romantic occasion that went down in Jamaica. I mean it's the perfect setting for a proposal as well. That's right, a proposal!! On Saturday night April 16th Tom decided to pop THE question!</div>
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I kind of thought it might happen while we were in Jamaica but I wasn't sure. Tom has been pretty secretive and mum on the whole thing...So I wasn't expecting it at all and it was incredible. </div>
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He left the ring with his parents so apparently he had to do a little running around to get his hands on it. I was at his side most of the day so he struggled to get away from me long enough to grab it. After escaping me for about 10 minutes after dinner he finally got it. I however wasn't aware that he was going after the ring and was a teeny bit upset that he left me awkwardly standing by a staircase for so long. When he walked off it felt like he was gone for an eternity...we've been apart for 8 months...I was a little clingy...I'm not even sorry about it! ;)</div>
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I remember asking him what he was doing up there? Did he sit down and have dinner with his family without me? It was like 10 minutes, where were yoouuu??? As I was saying this he was walking me down to the beach where he whipped out a little box and said he was sorry but he was getting something important...then he said Will You Marry Me...and I jumped around and hugged him and kissed him and didn't say anything...and he asked well will you?? And I think i shouted yes ;) and i bounced around the beach for a few minutes after he slid the pretty ring on my finger.</div>
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My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. It was perfect, It was a surprise, it was a dream come true...</div>
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I called my mom and dad first and told them, then I was able to facetime my sister and brother in law, then I called my brother and my pawpaw, tish and my granny! I texted a few people then posted it all over social media!! I'm so happy that we're finally here, finishing up this long distance business!! </div>
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Oh and the ring, she's a beauty!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92-aoLLq013TEqYDoUUf5Xz9_0zOGNYEAi2MlgC8D6sDIJgrzW1F9d49jBc57Ek92Bx8sZztDKFi5NsfK5yHhEWpx9puPYSptlCpNKtv_CGi03BSPJHJqHOVMnqysP5bdWrKwfXVPFqRn/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92-aoLLq013TEqYDoUUf5Xz9_0zOGNYEAi2MlgC8D6sDIJgrzW1F9d49jBc57Ek92Bx8sZztDKFi5NsfK5yHhEWpx9puPYSptlCpNKtv_CGi03BSPJHJqHOVMnqysP5bdWrKwfXVPFqRn/s640/IMG_1122.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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The ring is beautiful, it fits me to a T! I love every part of it and i'm so excited to wear it forever!!!</div>
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So now we're officially engaged by cultural standards ;) We've been "engaged" for a while now. We knew we were getting married we knew Tom was moving to Texas...We just hadn't really had a good chance to do the whole ring thing! But now we have and it feels great! </div>
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Now it's time to plan a wedding!!</div>
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So many wonderful things are happening right now and i know more exciting times are ahead!!! </div>
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Eep! It's all happening!!</div>
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Now lets get this freaking visa finished up!! If anyone has a direct line to the interviewers office hand it over because this wait for an interview appointment has been the worst!!</div>
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Crossing our fingers it happens soon so we can get him over here!!! </div>
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Now...which pizzeria is going to cater our wedding??? ;)</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-61203152092768826952016-04-06T19:36:00.000-07:002016-04-06T19:36:47.566-07:00A Promotion and a Visa UpdateHEY! It's been a while ;)<br />
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It's about time for an update, it's past time actually...So little has happened in the past 4 months that there's not really been anything to update.<br />
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Tom still hasn't been contacted for an interview date...should we be concerned...maybe?? Our Visa Application period ended about a month ago. Tom looked into it and it looks like we're still ok he just has to submit an extra form at his interview. It is taking longer than we thought which has been good and bad. It's good because we didn't want Tom to have his interview during our trip to Jamaica. It's bad because we're tired of waiting...we've been apart for almost 8 months now... So hopefully we'll hear something soon about his interview and then we can really get things moving.<br />
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These kids need to be back together...it's time!!!!!!!!!<br />
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So something really exciting has happened and it's a big step in getting Tom over here. I've had my Part-Time job with the Container Store for almost 5 months now and It's been great. My job is basically in a call center doing customer service and design work. Well...that <b>was</b> my job!!!!! About a week ago my boss asked if i'd be interested in working with the B2B department, designing closets for other companies. At the beginning of the project my boss told me that they picked me for a reason and that this could lead to something else depending on how I did on the project. WELL...yesterday I found out that that they want me to move to the TCS Closet department, training will take place when I get back from Jamaica and the best part...IT'S FULL TIME!!!!! The best best part is I get to design closets all day everyday!! I'll mostly be working with the stores and organizers so the direct customer contact will probably come to a halt but I'm so excited to get to design pretty spaces like this all day long!!<br />
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So yea, looks like full time is happening in a matter of days and as soon as Tom gets this interview done we'll finally get to make plans to bring him over here!! </div>
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Things are finally starting to align and we are so excited!! </div>
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In other news...I SEE TOM NEXT WEEK...IN JAMAICA!!!!!!!! </div>
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It's only for a week so it's bitter sweet but i don't even care, i get to see him, i'm so happy!! </div>
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So I haven't posted much lately on here or instagram but there will probably be quite the spike in posts this time next week!</div>
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In other other news I got to see my absolute FAVORITE band in concert on Monday night. A few months ago I bought Mumford and Sons concert tickets for Tom and I because we thought he'd be here to go see them....Obviously that didn't happen so I got to take my wonderful cousin with me instead and it was THE BEST THING EVER! I have loved Mumford for years and to see them live in concert was so surreal. I had all the feels...I couldn't handle it...it was amazing!!!</div>
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That's all for now! Keep an eye out for a ton of pictures from Jamaica next week when Tomily will be reunited!!!! It's about time! Ahhh!!</div>
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Until next time ...</div>
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Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-68900069907002838032016-01-14T19:36:00.001-08:002016-01-14T19:36:47.673-08:00Humble brag<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I graduated from Elfa Closet Design School. Yes, that's a thing and I did indeed graduate from it. For the past month I've been designing closets at work but I've had to have someone look it over before I showed it to a customer. It's called second set of eyes, just to make sure I haven't made any mistakes. Well as of today I'm off the second set of eyes list, they trust my knowledge and skills and believe that I can design the perfect closet solution for people all over the country...and world. I did some spaces for a couple in Guam a few weeks ago ;). </div>
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I can't get over how far i've come in the last 8 weeks. First of all I went into this job with ZERO prior experience in the corporate world or sales or closet design. After a few weeks of training and lots of practice I feel like I really know what I'm doing and it's such a fun job. I always hear people talk about their jobs and their peers and their bosses and it's never really positive and it really freaked me out when I started looking for a job. I thought all offices were like that, where people are awful to each other. I thought that everyone hated their boss and that work was just going to be awful no matter where you ended up. But that's just not true, at all!! This company has changed my whole outlook on the corporate world and working in an office. I have the best team, they are seriously incredible, so kind, funny and passionate. I'm just feeling extra grateful to have been given a chance to work for this company. I mean I get to design pretty spaces all day, it's a dream. ;)</div>
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I've already got my sights set on my next goal with the company, and that's built-ins!! ;)</div>
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Speaking of dreams...this closet is THE dream!!</div>
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I'm sold, if only my store discount went towards this baby!!</div>
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...</div>
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In other news, Tom went to London yesterday and got his medical done! He spent the night in Westminster, had his early morning appointment and then hopped on the bus back home.</div>
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Now we just have to wait for his interview!!</div>
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We're both so happy things are finally starting to come together!</div>
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April can't get here soon enough, I can't wait to see him again</div>
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and not have to let him go this time! ;)</div>
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Hope you're all having a great week!!</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-34355546851287721112016-01-08T15:17:00.003-08:002016-01-08T15:17:49.506-08:00Visa chit chat<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a well known fact that this little blog has suffered some over the last year. I was doing so well in blog land for around 2 years and then I guess the 3 year slump hit me, hit me real hard. So here I am, starting again, hoping I can do better this year. I'll be honest, blogging started to become a chore when I didn't have as many exciting things to discuss. So I kind of disappeared because I just didn't know where to take this space. But now it's 2016, a new year, a BIG year and I feel like I have some pretty big things to share with blog land. So let's hop to it!</div>
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I'll start with a little thing called a Fiancé Visa. So back in September, i think, Tom and I started a little journey. A journey I sort of talked about via this blog but I honestly didn't go into much detail. I had my reasons for holding back but now I feel like it's a good time to really share what's all been going on with the visa situation. I explained that a few visa options failed us so we swiftly moved onto the most basic visa for getting your significant other to America, The Fiancé Visa. If you've ever watched 90 day Fiancé on TLC then you'll know where I'm going with this. The Fiancé visa is used for couples who plan to marry within 90 days of the significant other arriving in the USA. That's where Tom comes in, he's the significant other, obviously. So once we'd locked down which visa we were going to go after we jumped on it as fast as we could. These visa's are not known for being quick when it comes to processing so we wanted to get started straight away. The first step was to fill out some forms, pay some money...around $400...and gather evidence of our relationship. It took me about a week to get everything pulled together. I put a nice binder together and mailed it off to the USCIS...super official government office somewhere that handles these cases.</div>
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Thankfully we had quite a lot of evidence supporting our relationship. This blog was a big chunk of that since I've basically blogged about our relationship from the beginning. We also used instagram posts, texts, emails, flight itineraries and more. I sent the binder off knowing that it would take a while before it was accepted. The timeline for this portion was well over 3 months...longer if it stayed in Texas. Luckily our case was transferred to California. California had a shorter wait time but we still thought it would take a few months to hear anything. One month after I sent the binder off</div>
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I got a letter in the mail from the USCIS. I wasn't expecting anything so soon so I was terrified I'd filled out a form wrong and I'd have to do it over again. But that was not the case, I opened the letter and it was a Notice of Action 2 document. This is the document we thought we'd be waiting months for. But instead it only took ONE MONTH!! How amazing is that!!! The NOA2 meant that the US government was happy with what I gave them so they would now send the case overseas to the American Embassy in London which is where Tom will go to have his interview when the time comes.</div>
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So let me break it down a little...what was meant to take 3-5 months only took 1. Our case began it's trek overseas in November and now we're at the stage where we're just waiting on Tom to get his medical done as well as the Interview. As soon as those things get done he will have his visa and be able to come over and we can get married and start this next phase of life. Crazy right?? </div>
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It's possible that Tom will have the Visa locked down by February, but that doesn't mean that<br />
Tom will be headed here straight after he get's the visa. There are a few things that have to happen before Tom comes over. I need to be working full time at my job (hopefully that happens soon..) I also need to get an apartment.. That's not all though..Tom's sister is getting married in Jamaica in April. Tom is only allowed to Enter the USA on his visa once. So we're going to wait until after the Jamaica wedding for him to fly over here. He'll probably fly straight over from Jamaica and from there we'll have our wedding and just go for it!!<br />
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On January 21st we will have been apart for 6 months. This is the longest that we've been apart and thinking about staying apart until April is so hard. We have around 3 more months to be apart before things really start rolling. I wish we didn't have to wait but we both know that we need to get some things pulled together before he gets here so I'll definitely use this time wisely. I mean there's a wedding to plan as well as an apartment to get and lots of other things. And I have around 3 months to do it all.<br />
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It's laughable but also very possible to get all of that done in such a short amount of time ;)<br />
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Ok that's all for now, hope everyone is having a wonderful new year!!</div>
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Can't wait to share all of the wonderful things to come.</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-33102119340114712472015-12-07T19:53:00.000-08:002015-12-07T19:53:28.911-08:00My first BIG job & a new car!!<div style="text-align: center;">
So by now you know that I started</div>
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working for The Container Store a few weeks ago.</div>
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If you didn't know...now you do ;)</div>
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So up until now the only jobs i've held have</div>
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been part time filler jobs.</div>
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I worked while i was in school at my</div>
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University as well as a local Bakery here in Fort Worth.</div>
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Both jobs were so fantastic for me at the time</div>
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and I'm so glad i had those opportunities.</div>
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I also nannied quite a bit over the last year and a half.</div>
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So I've held a few jobs here and there</div>
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over the past couple of years but none of my</div>
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past job experiences have been like my new job...</div>
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Which makes sense..I've had a pretty natural progression</div>
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to my first professional gig.</div>
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Granted I probably would have been in my professional job</div>
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sooner but I found love first...you know ;)</div>
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#noregrets </div>
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#lovetrumpsjobs</div>
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Anyways...so here I am in my new job and</div>
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it's been so great!</div>
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I've made some great friends, I have the nicest co-workers ever</div>
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and my office building is pretty incredible if I do say so myself.</div>
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I could do without the rush-hour traffic but</div>
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that's unfortunately a part of life.</div>
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This week I'm in "Design School"</div>
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I'm learning the ins and outs of closet design.</div>
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Closet design as well as other types of designs,</div>
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office, craft room, pantry...all sorts of fun things.</div>
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I've never been that much of an organizer but</div>
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this job has really changed me for the better.</div>
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I'm now obsessed with all things organization.</div>
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It also helps that there is a pretty sweeeeeeet discount involved ;)</div>
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I also have some fun news other than the new job...</div>
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I got a new car!!!</div>
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This was my first grand purchase of my adult life.</div>
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I'm pretty proud of him and proud of myself for</div>
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getting him all by myself ;)</div>
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His name is Chuck, Chuck Boris Jr.</div>
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My old car was called Boris so we had to pay respect to him in the new car.</div>
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I'm so adult and so not adult all at the same time.</div>
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So new job, new car, working on a Visa for Tom</div>
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& looking at future new apartments!</div>
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Things are looking pretty great around here!!</div>
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We'll see how great I feel at the end of this week</div>
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after 40+ hours of design school training!! ;)</div>
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Hope you're all having a great week!</div>
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Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-11789418761454640742015-11-24T19:03:00.000-08:002015-11-24T19:03:23.976-08:00My new job<div style="text-align: center;">
So tonight I drove home from my new job.</div>
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It was day 6 of training.</div>
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According to the world wide web</div>
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most jobs give about 8 hours or less of</div>
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training before releasing you to the actual job.</div>
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Well at The Container Store that is not the case.</div>
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In fact I've just finished up my 54th hour of training...</div>
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and I still have about 110 hours to go throughout my first year.</div>
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Oh yea, I got a job at The Container Store's corporate offices!</div>
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I was so so happy when hired, they are such a fabulous company to work for!</div>
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I know I said I'd like to nanny more and teach</div>
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but when opportunity calls you answer.</div>
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I answered!</div>
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Anyways back to training...</div>
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So after completing 50+ hours of training</div>
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my brain is mush, like the mushiest mush ever!</div>
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I'm exhausted because we've been working</div>
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9 or 10 hours most days and getting up and doing</div>
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it all over again the next day.</div>
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We've had SO MUCH information to digest</div>
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in the last week that it's just kind of overwhelming.</div>
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Not kind of, it just is!</div>
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While driving home tonight I called Tom to talk about my day.</div>
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We've not been able to skype since I've been working non stop.</div>
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We're having serious withdrawals.</div>
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So I called him and I broke down a bit, totally cried.</div>
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Mushy brain + so much info + my first time on the phones</div>
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and I got a nasty call straight away... = Tears!!!</div>
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Luckily we have great customers so most people</div>
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are so nice which is great but I did have one nasty caller</div>
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and I'm just not used to people talking to me like that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm really nice and super emotional when people</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
aren't nice back...I need to get a backbone and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this job is going to help me get that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The last day of training is tomorrow and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then I'll work for three weeks before I have another</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
week of training where I learn closet design.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which is really exciting but it's just more info</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I need to find a way to open up my brain</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for even more information!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me also say that I love how much training I'm getting!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love working for a company that wants it's employees to be prepared.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also just love working for this company in general.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I never wanted to work in a corporate setting because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've just not been interested in that kind of atmosphere.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But The Container Store just has such a wonderful atmosphere</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and so now I understand why people love working for them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have I mentioned I'm exhausted ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what happens when you start a big girl job after </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
having around 2 years of a super relaxed nanny job.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not used to the workload or the hours or any of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll get there though, I'm already starting to feel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
more comfortable and confident with the job</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so hopefully I'll keep feeling that way!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But for now I just need Thanksgiving to be here so I can </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
unwind and eat my emotions!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm pretty sure I've lost about 10 pounds over the last week</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because I've forgotten to eat...so it's nice to know</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll be gaining that all back plus some on Thursday!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-65067898764516175612015-09-28T09:13:00.001-07:002015-09-28T09:16:38.088-07:00An update and an explanation!<div style="text-align: center;">
To the people who read my last post</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and thought that you had missed this</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
big engagement announcement let me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ease your worries and tell you that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there hasn't been an official engagement announcement.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or maybe that's what my last post was.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An engagement announcement ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the thing, we're not sticking to cultural norms</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or the status quo.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're probably not going to see me flashing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an engagement ring all over town...yet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You won't see engagement pictures of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
us in a field with oh so perfect lighting behind us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You won't see any of that because we're not</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the same place on this planet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now if we were a normal couple</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that didn't have 4,000 miles in between us</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then yes, you'd probably be seeing all of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
those things right about now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But we're not, so you're not!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't want anyone to feel like we forgot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to mention this to them before I blurted it out on my blog.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Truth is, everyone should know that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we're headed for marriage.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You just don't spend this amount of time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and money on someone you're not serious about!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we've been serious for a long long time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it's time for us to move forward so we</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
can start living normal lives again!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And for my family and friends that read my blog</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just want to say that blogging is one of the best ways </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to get information out there to all of you!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't feel upset that I didn't personally come to you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and explain the happenings of my life because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we'd be there for a while and you'd regret the conversation instantly</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
once I start crying because this is all very stressful!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've shed one too many tears over this already!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This isn't an easy process so please bear with me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and please pray for me because the stress and people pleasing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is really getting to me!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I googled chronic people pleasing the other day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ticked all them boxes!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm trying to work on it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyways...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a little update for you all!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom and I are applying for the K-1 Fiance visa</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so that Tom can come live in the USA for a few</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
years with me, married to me while I work and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he works and get's his masters degree!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are other facets to the plan like where</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we'll live...how we'll survive on one income until</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom gets his green card...but that's all information</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that will come in the future!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So that's THE plan!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So while we are planning to get married</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and do all sorts of things with our lives</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's hard to explain all of this visa information</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to people who have never had to do it before.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have to understand that I can't even get excited</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
about a wedding yet. I can't send invites, I can't plan anything</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because before all of that happens Tom and I will</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
be thoroughly examined by both our governments.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The United States & The UK Governments </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
get to decide if and when we get this visa!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And while I do think all will go smoothly</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you just never know.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So yes, I'm going to blog about weddings</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and plans and dresses and flowers and all sorts of things.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But don't think I've left you out, don't think I've forgotten to tell you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please remember that when this visa goes through I </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
will shout all of this information at you, in your face,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because I won't be able to contain my excitement!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is all...for now!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-56135197377726776642015-09-10T18:43:00.000-07:002015-09-10T18:43:36.453-07:00Three wedding's and a Visa!!<div style="text-align: center;">
A little less than 3 years ago I found myself</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in a weird spot with a random guy that I met online.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Obviously you all know how that story progressed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I remember when I was a teenager and I was obsessed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with all things British, especially in the form of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a cute guy with that cute accent.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I never once dreamed that I'd actually get</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to fall in love with a cute guy with that cute accent.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I did!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lucky me ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have both grown so incredibly much</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
over the last couple of years and we feel so grateful</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that we've gotten to spend so much time together,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to really get to know each other and to fall in love!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are now in a place where we need to move forward</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
either together or apart and obviously we're choosing together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't want to live in a world without him</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I'm pretty sure he feels the same about me ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So as you may have noticed I've posted a whole</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lot about visa's over the last couple of days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sharing with you the highs and the lows</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of this whole long distance love process.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most of the time it's fun but other times it's hard and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
stressful and scary and annoying!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I never want to come across as ungrateful for these</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
opportunities that we have. So please don't mistake my</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
grief with the visa process as me being ungrateful!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because just knowing that there is a way</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for us to be together is amazing!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've had to work hard for this relationship so</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we're prepared for this next step.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And hopefully once this visa process is done</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we will be good for a while.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We know there will be more visa drama in the next few years</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but we won't worry about that until the time comes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our visa journey is a big deal!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's the story of one of us packing up and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
moving to another country.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Leaving friends and family all in the name of love.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So far on this blog you've gotten to see us fall in love</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and now you get to see us take it to the next level!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The marriage level!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="235" src="//giphy.com/embed/yzVLJCO01S8sU" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh yes!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So what are you going to see on this space</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
over the next couple of months?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well I will spill the beans on our plans</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which includes the Visa we've chosen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will also share the process of said visa.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will post when certain paperwork is approved</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and we'll all have mini celebrations as we</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
slowly get this visa in one of our hands.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While we're on this visa journey</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll also be sharing wedding ideas, plans and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
trying not to go insane because we're planning</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a few weddings/receptions...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
OH you're probably wondering why there</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hasn't been a #blessed #engagement photo with #bling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well long distance puts certain things ahead of others.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ring will come, patience is a virtue ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="212" src="//giphy.com/embed/v2nznHqSYdqNy" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I consider myself lucky to have an incredible guy by my side,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the ring is a lovely symbol that I'm excited for but</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I had to choose what gets priority right now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it would be getting a visa and they ain't cheap y'all!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
So there's that!<br />
<br />
Some major things are in store for us<br />
and I'm pretty pumped that I can share it on this blog.<br />
<br />
I missed blogging and I feel like I'm getting back into it!<br />
<br />
Hope you all have a wonderful week!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-20058975096058869592015-09-09T05:59:00.000-07:002015-09-09T05:59:14.450-07:00The Visa Attorney <div style="text-align: center;">
Tonight I contacted a VISA ATTORNEY!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whhaaaattt??</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We decided that visa's are complex things that we don't really</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
want to mess up because if we do mess it up then we're</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
basically out of luck for a good long while.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Therefore we contacted an attorney, which is a very adult thing to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's also probably an expensive thing to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So the visa isn't cheap and my gut is telling me that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the attorney won't be cheap either...<br />
<br />
But we're in luck because she offers a payment plan #sarcasm</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is kind of how I feel...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="295" src="//giphy.com/embed/3Jhdg8Qro5kMo" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
But instead of an overly happy Aladdin, picture this guy instead </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="288" src="//giphy.com/embed/qcL1zwoPFvXsk" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Less money, more problems, that is the appropriate saying...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whomever said more money, more problems was a big ol dumbo!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So yeeaaa I'm going to try and make an appointment with the attorney</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sometime soon so we can discuss our options.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hopefully she'll help us come to a final decision!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also if you read this blog and you've gone through the visa process</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with or without an attorney I would LOVE to hear from you!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Should we hire an attorney, can we do it ourselves??</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Guess we will see!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a lovely day everyone!</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-75202353302866307882015-09-08T15:48:00.001-07:002015-09-08T15:48:27.169-07:00I laugh in the face of plans...and Visa's make me want to cry!!<div style="text-align: center;">
As soon as I hit publish on my last blog post</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the plans began to crumble around us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WHY is this so hard???<br />
Whhhyyyy??</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are in love, we are happy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm his person, we're each other's people, loves, lobsters!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is it for us, we've chosen, we're decided,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we want to be together forever and ever!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So why is every visa path so freaking complicated!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why do we feel like we're doing something wrong just by being in lovvveee??</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I feel stressed!!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At least that's how I felt the second half of yesterday!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now my feels are sunshiny, positive and just overall happy.<br />
<br />
Mood swings are in full force over here...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="192" src="//giphy.com/embed/8q1dPy1UUvss0" width="480"></iframe><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The reasoning behind my peppy self is due to yet another visa.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Except this time the visa is exactly what we've been looking for!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//giphy.com/embed/JsclfJxDPmCJy" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were trying so hard to make the wrong visa's work</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that we neglected the search for the right one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But last night I think I found it!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I told Tom about it today and we researched and we</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
both feel like it's a HUGE step in the right direction.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We will do a little more researching but it's </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
possible that things could start moving pretty quickly</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with us if this visa really is the answer!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Like i've said before you just don't know what will happen</div>
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so I won't share our exact plans yet but I will</div>
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share the plans that have failed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The first failed plan was that I was going to move to the UK.</div>
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Yea, a big move over seas was in my future for a long time</div>
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and we were so excited, we were planning for wedding's and</div>
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apartments and all sorts of exciting things.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The way to this visa was through Tom and his career.</div>
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I let you know about the money Tom had to make in his job</div>
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before we would even be able to apply for the visa.</div>
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Well turns out making that much money is hard in the UK.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Tom had a part time job working nights for a retail store on the weekends.</div>
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He hated it, a lot!! It kind of made him rethink things about what</div>
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he wants from a career...(which wasn't nights in retail)</div>
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he wants to be able to do something that will inspire him and allow him to inspire others.</div>
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So he quit his retail job and had a little bit of a breakdown and then we decided</div>
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that it just wasn't going to work for us to start out in the UK.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Instead we started to look at coming to the USA!</div>
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Tom is thinking about going back to school for his masters degree</div>
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so we started looking at student visa's.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We thought that we could get Tom over here on his student visa</div>
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and get married and then apply for Adjustment of Status that</div>
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would cut out the complicated immigration Visa.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can actually do ALL of that.</div>
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You can get a student visa and then if you meet someone</div>
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while studying abroad you can marry them...no issues.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But since we've already been together and both border controls</div>
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know about our budding relationship we are pretty much </div>
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not allowed to go after this visa for fear of the border control</div>
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thinking that Tom is trying to come over here for an immigration status...</div>
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Which was half of our plan...which is not allowed.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're getting a student visa it has to be specifically for school...</div>
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If you have underlying reasons for applying for this visa and they</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
find out about them then you can kiss the visa goodbye</div>
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AND they would put a year long ban on Tom coming to the US!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And that's where we decided to axe the student visa!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="225" src="//giphy.com/embed/P4tFmPZUS5eAo" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
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FYI Gifs are forever in my blogs future, I just love them!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyways...so now after all of those failed attempts we finally</div>
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feel like we've figured out this little visa game and</div>
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we're pumped about it!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm not going to say what Visa, or where it will lead</div>
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but it's exciting and we both feel like this is it y'all!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Phew!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm exhausted! </div>
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<br /></div>
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More to come!!</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-56426428617795759002015-09-06T20:42:00.000-07:002015-09-07T07:48:53.221-07:00Fail to plan, plan to fail....or just failed plans<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInglYpXf1RzFeu3L0TnHutDAdgkfa3lNxDow-o4erXUPei-ZaA_MBsG16jhKmd-rrlti39Q63LaFB_CckGnHN6a6bwTPkZr0wkg47Z0F2Fv8qwgr2lXMIrnpW_dN7GZILqYVHdMEJ9Ku3/s1600/89bf3e7bae9c672fcd66000f0913f613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInglYpXf1RzFeu3L0TnHutDAdgkfa3lNxDow-o4erXUPei-ZaA_MBsG16jhKmd-rrlti39Q63LaFB_CckGnHN6a6bwTPkZr0wkg47Z0F2Fv8qwgr2lXMIrnpW_dN7GZILqYVHdMEJ9Ku3/s1600/89bf3e7bae9c672fcd66000f0913f613.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Plot twist, plot twist, plot twist!!!<br />
And let me be clear, nothing has gone <i>wrong</i>, plans just change!<br />
<br />
Plans, plans are funny little things that</div>
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can and probably will change in an instant.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It keeps things exciting which is great</div>
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but it also shakes things up which is a little scary.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But nevertheless here we are, in the midst of changing plans.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You know I could come on this space</div>
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and dilly dally around the subject of my plans with Tom.</div>
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I could, I can, I have and I am...</div>
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dilly dallying...</div>
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<br /></div>
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I don't really like coming out with plans</div>
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until I am FOR SURE that they are happening.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've come out with plans a tad too early on some occasions</div>
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and well...things changed and it was a letdown...</div>
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I'm looking at you American road trip 2014!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="240" src="//giphy.com/embed/DldrvcJhPy7rq" width="480"></iframe><br />
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This time our changing plans aren't a letdown at all.</div>
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In fact they are a let up if that's a thing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I wish I could spill the beans but i'm going to need</div>
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you guys to hang in there for a little while longer</div>
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before I start spewing our secrets ;)</div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="220" src="//giphy.com/embed/5fBH6zl91iH9rzPc556" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These plans aren't any safer than any of our other plans.</div>
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In fact one failed google search could end it all.</div>
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Well not it ALL but it could shake things up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Like if we google a question about a visa and google</div>
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comes back with an answer we're not fond of...</div>
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That is when plans change, that is the root of all of our changes.</div>
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Google and all of it's wealth of knowledge can be real upsetting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Then again Google can be real fun...<br />
Thanks for all of your fun little games googs!!</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="205" src="//giphy.com/embed/5UapbPnOe9b0Y" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
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I will say that I am feeling very excited about these new plans.</div>
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I think it puts Tom and I on a really good path and I'm</div>
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excited to see what happens when we really go for it!</div>
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<br /></div>
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See, here I am dilly dallying up a storm.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I hope to share more soon!</div>
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As soon as I'm 99.9% sure of our plans I'll be here chatting up a storm!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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:) :)</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-37639338801185670162015-08-31T14:13:00.003-07:002015-08-31T14:35:41.144-07:00The visa struggle via gifs (UK version)<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello everyone, I'm back, that's right, twice within the span of a week.</div>
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Impressive, I know!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I wanted to share a struggle that all international couples</div>
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have faced, will face or are currently facing...The visa struggle.</div>
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<br /></div>
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There is forum upon forum of couples explaining their visa process.</div>
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Some of them are wonderful stories full of hope while others</div>
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are pits of deep, dark despair that make you cry yourself to sleep.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Seriously!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Because with visa's it will either end well or end terribly, terribly bad.</div>
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Meaning you either get the visa or you don't and if you don't it's basically</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the other country telling you that they're breaking up with you but you're</div>
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not even together yet...it's hurtful, i'm sure.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I can only speculate since it hasn't happened to Tom or myself...yet...and hopefully it never will.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We will be looking at visa's in the near future and so I just wanted to</div>
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share how terrifying the visa process is with all of you people's who will</div>
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never have to worry about getting one.<br />
<br />
It will give you an inside look at what we have to do to be together. <br />
<br />
This will be the UK Visa version, I'll do a US one next time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And I'll use GIF's because they make everything better...</div>
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<br /></div>
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So you've found love, he/she is British, you're not and it's so amazing and you want to be together</div>
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forever and ever but you can't...not yet...because you need a VISA!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="284" src="//giphy.com/embed/GWcKxjOsMxwoU" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/confused-new-girl-GWcKxjOsMxwoU">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, a Visa, but don't worry it's not bad, it's just basically the UK government</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">judging you and deciding if you're fit to live in their society...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">No biggie.. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="268" src="//giphy.com/embed/kKD3A7QLIhhVm" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/awkward-what-britney-spears-kKD3A7QLIhhVm">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
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But it's totally worth it because you get to be together!!! Hooray!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="265" src="//giphy.com/embed/flo7vS2shAZl6" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/happy-reaction-sherlock-flo7vS2shAZl6">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
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Yes, get happy and get your wallet ready because it's about</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
$1500 to apply for the visa, plus another $200 if you want the process rushed..<br />
but don't rush too much because your UK partner has to be making some serious money<br />
6 months before you can even apply for the visa.<br />
Then it takes another 3 or so months to get the visa...<br />
Unless you rush it, if rushed it can take less time..<br />
but they make no promises, you could pay extra<br />
for the rush and it take just as much time as the regular way.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="219" src="//giphy.com/embed/OEoxJ9ifeW47e" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/sad-winston-crying-OEoxJ9ifeW47e">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
<br />
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So before you can apply for a visa in the UK</div>
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you're partner has to be making £18,600 a year ($30,000)...we know jobs are<br />
scarce but you can do it...right??? Right, that's the spirit!!!<br />
*(Average jobs in the UK make around £14-£17,000 annually) </div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="352" src="//giphy.com/embed/XeJbbsRDlncbK" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/scandal-shock-olivia-pope-XeJbbsRDlncbK">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
<br />
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Also, don't forget that you have to reapply for that visa every 30 months</div>
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until you've lived there for 5 years AND THEN you can apply for another</div>
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visa to remain long term in that country...and then 10 years later...you apply again.</div>
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And you pay every time...but it will be ok because your<br />
spouse is making £18,600 or more. </div>
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But keep in mind you could be sent back</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to your home country if during the first five years abroad your spouse is making less than £18,600 6 months prior to you re-applying for the visa...<br />
even if you're married...or have kids...you have to go go go...<br />
Oh and if you have kids in the first 5 years abroad<br />
then the amount you have to earn yearly gets increased per child...<br />
So no kids for the next 5 years...noted!! </div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//giphy.com/embed/oOX5qIDkzDjeo" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/friends-reactiongifs-oOX5qIDkzDjeo">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
<br />
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No, no, don't cry...you get to be together, remember...where's that happy face??</div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="413" src="//giphy.com/embed/HYC9LxFXYHBni" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/one-direction-zayn-malik-gif-HYC9LxFXYHBni">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
<br />
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But in order to be happy you have to leave your home, your family and friends...</div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//giphy.com/embed/rlGZBE2X3epIk" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/cry-quiver-danes-rlGZBE2X3epIk">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
<br />
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Which leaves you feeling a little bit crazy...<br />
Happy to be together, sad to be leaving...<br />
happysadhappysadhappysad </div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//giphy.com/embed/eygUOqridg0py" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/emma-stone-scared-shocked-eygUOqridg0py">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
But listen, it's hard to leave but it doesn't mean you'll be gone forever.</div>
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The perk to being with someone from another country is you now</div>
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get to call two amazing places home. Plus all of the people that know you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
now get a free place to stay if they come to the UK.</div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="211" src="//giphy.com/embed/mzTKsByk8Xl6g" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/excited-happy-friends-mzTKsByk8Xl6g">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So it's going to be hard and it's going to take time and patience</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but at the end of it all you're taking a leap that many, many people</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
never get the chance to take and it's weird and new and scary but</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's also incredible and a huge blessing to be able to get a piece of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
paper that let's you roam the earth with the one you love.<br />
The money will be scarce and the wait will be hard but<br />
man oh man how exciting it will be when you nestle<br />
into that new adventure with your person.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="269" src="//giphy.com/embed/ytS73eVCyW2ha" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/smiling-ellie-kemper-ytS73eVCyW2ha">via GIPHY</a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> USA Visa Struggle via GIFS will come atcha next time!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And since this was fun maybe i'll do a post on the different types</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">of visa's and why they're all so terribly confusing!! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Have a great day everyone!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-20952800550898970472015-08-27T08:45:00.002-07:002015-08-27T08:45:37.308-07:00An update on life/love<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey blog land.</div>
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I owe you guys a pretty lengthy update don't I?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not sure this will be lengthy but it will work for now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok so Tom went home about a month ago.</div>
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The 6 months was up and so was his visa.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So he hopped on two planes and made his way back to England.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The 6 months went by so fast.</div>
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It's all a blur, a magical blur that was so wonderful.</div>
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It was nice having him here for so long and</div>
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now we can both say we know more about</div>
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each other's homes since we've both been able</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to live on opposite sides of the world for </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an extended period of time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Out of the almost 3 years that we've been together</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we have spent a little over 1 full year together.</div>
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Which in the long distance world is pretty incredible.</div>
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Thanks to both of our parents for being so hospitable.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So here's a little bit of what's been happening since he left.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom has been looking for work, he's gone to multiple interviews</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he's currently in possession of one job. woohoo!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is looking for full time work though so he's</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
still pounding the pavement, he had two interviews today</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so he's doing really well!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm still nannying/babysitting...whatever you want to call it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm part time so I was looking for some work too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm currently waiting to hear back from a Soccer Coaching</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
position for little kids that I can add to my load to give me full time status.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this is new territory, we're both in our own countries </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and we're both working.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Usually one of us is here or there and only one of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
us has a job while the other one doesn't.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So now we both have jobs because you need money</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the next steps that we are wanting to take.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The flying back in forth to be together phase of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
our relationship has to come to an end at some point</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because we really need to put down some roots if we're</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ever going to both settle into jobs and life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So as of right now there are no flights booked</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and no plans in place.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have plans, we just have to do a few things</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
before those plans can come to light.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we're kind of in a logistical phase right now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Figuring out the next steps one step at a time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's going to be the hardest part of our relationship because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's possible that months and months may go by before</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we're able to get together again and it's pretty heartbreaking.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But our optimism is strong and we're still making time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to skype and we text nonstop so we'll be ok, it will just be hard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll try and keep this space more updated as we</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
figure things out and move towards bigger and better things!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope you all have a great day :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Emily-</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-71969442520471490612015-06-11T09:19:00.001-07:002015-06-11T09:19:42.139-07:00The thousand year journey<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd like to believe that all humans have the ability to be adventurers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some adventurers are hanging out on top of mountains while others are</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dangling their feet in shark infested waters. Then there's the adventurer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like myself who just likes to get gelato in Italy while taking in the sights of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The gorgeous coast line. I would be a bad mountain climber because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm clumsy and have zero balance...it wouldn't end well. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are so many adventurous avenues to take in life</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But travel has to be near the top of the adventure list.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's hard for me to put into words how much I love to travel.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I could do it as a career then I would be set. And who says I can't? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'll no one, which is why it's still possible.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It would be quite the adventure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I stumbled upon Jedidiah Jenkins because of my obsession with breaking bad. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jessie Pinkman was and is my all time favorite character. So while following/stalking Aaron Paul</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On Instagram I found his friend Jedidiah. I looked over at Jedidiahs Instagram and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Was blown away by his images of his amazing trip from Oregon to Patagonia ON A BICYCLE!!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He quit a job he loved to shake up his world on this amazing journey.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He saw our world in a way I've never seen it before and I hope to one day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Get to see and experience some of what he did because...earth...its amazing!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jedidiah had some friends follow him for a month or so and document a short</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Film of why he decided to take this trip!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His answer is incredible, inspiring and potentially life changing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To those who may feel trapped in the daily grind of routine!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would highly suggest taking a look at the short film.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You'll feel all the feels!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/120206922">Click here for the film.</a><br />
<br />
:)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_537917915"></span></div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-10276304351397062015-06-03T12:29:00.000-07:002015-06-03T12:35:50.714-07:00Oh hi there<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi bloggy, it's been a long time...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel like this is an awkward exchange between</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
friends who haven't spoken in some time ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess this space is due for a post, a little update on life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So here you go!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Tom is still here even though my lack of instagram pics might</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
make you wonder his existence at all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He/we aren't fond of the selfie these days and the only time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we really like taking them is when we're actually doing something</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
more extravagant than watching netflix...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean if you want netflix selfies then I can give that a go but....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
chances are you don't so we'll leave that alone!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- It's June already which feels so weird and crazy because June means</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that Tom leaves next month and I'm already tearing up just thinking about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I won't think about it ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- We've been talking about our next step for a while now and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there are still so many things up in the air that could navigate our path.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we're being as patient as can be while we figure</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a few things out before PLANS are made.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- We have three plans that are in the works.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plan 1 is our Grand Canyon road trip that is hopefully happening in a few weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plan 2 is my return to Liverpool in a few months.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plan 3 is Jamaica in April of Next year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we've got some plans in the works which is great!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Things to look forward to and things to keep our minds off</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of more time apart in the coming months.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
-Sunday is Tom's 25th Birthday!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we're looking at going on a little trippy this weekend</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to celebrate such a monumental occasion!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- I made a big tech move this past week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I sorta like my iphone but it's a 4s and it's slow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so my love for it has dwindled over time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plus I don't like the hefty monthly bill.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sooo I'm pulling the plug on having an Iphone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instead I bought an unlocked Ipad mini 2 and I'm going to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
find the best data deal out there to have some data on that device</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for texting/web surfing and app usage.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll use it mostly on wifi but it will be nice to have some data. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My phone is going to be a sparkly new tracphone/pay as you go phone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
&&& I'm looking into a social camera, like the Samsung Galaxy Camera.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That way I'm able to take pictures and still post them directly to social media if I wish.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I'm getting rid of my iphone and replacing it with THREE devices..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know it might be craazzyyy but the monthly bill is cheaper, there are no</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
contracts and I'll have better working devices than my current Iphone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plus I'm selling some of my other techy things to make room and make money</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for these new toys coming my way so tt's like one big trade.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So yea, I'll let you know how it goes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I may be kicking myself in a month but I doubt it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm pretty pumped about this!!<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-I just recently got my hands on some essential oils</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I'm excited about some of the benefits that I'm already seeing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not sure about all of it but I like what I see so far.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- I also ordered some of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/damngoodfacewash">THIS</a> facewash+toner+oil+mask annndd I can't</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
say enough nice things about it!! My skin is transforming before my very eyes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I'm loving it, plus it's made by a fellow bloggers sister which is fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm always happy to support small businesses! :)<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I think that's about it for now.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I promise to come back around and let</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you know how the new tech switch is working out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sure there will also be news soon on future Tomily plans</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which is always exciting...I think ;)<br />
<br />
Hope y'all are having a good week! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-54379431429263901912015-04-23T14:45:00.001-07:002015-04-23T14:45:27.411-07:0015 current thoughts and updates-I miss blogging and I don't miss blogging. My current relationship with social media isss meehh...<br />
<br />
- I hate that I get passionate about SO MANY of my ideas and then tell people about them only for them to not happen. I'm afraid that I've become the girl who cries business ideas but never really goes for it.<br />
<br />
- I do actually have a pretty good idea right now which is ironic ^^^. I've even taken it so far as to write up a business plan which is a step I don't normally take. I have a name, a rad concept and time to tweak it and make it into something doable. So I'm feeling confident that this one is going to happen.<br />
<br />
- I'm 24, almost 25 and I'm having some intense growing pains. I've been questioning a lot of things lately about life, about myself and i'm slowly pulling it all together. Well, it will never quite be <i>together</i> but i'm trying my best.<br />
<br />
- On Tuesday Tom and I went to Putt Putt because they have this amazing deal where you get unlimited putt putt and a $20 game card for $10 pp. It's cheap and we're total arcade nerds so it was a no brainer. I played the game stacker and won an Xbox One. So we paid $20 and left with about $500. Tom is thrilled and so was i to be honest. ;) Probably the biggest thing I've ever won and it was on an arcade game.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10393996_10206556396894385_3614886697829946822_n.jpg?oh=a78dcdf27bbdb03ff0c251f14775b303&oe=55A3E5C5&__gda__=1440421024_844b50a555167730b9be9c46079f3fd3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" border="0" class="spotlight" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10393996_10206556396894385_3614886697829946822_n.jpg?oh=a78dcdf27bbdb03ff0c251f14775b303&oe=55A3E5C5&__gda__=1440421024_844b50a555167730b9be9c46079f3fd3" style="height: 640px; width: 640px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
- I kind of have a slight obsession with online shopping right now. It's bad and it needs to stop but new seasons just get my heart racing. I bought <a href="http://www.urbanog.com/Bamboo-Suede-Bow-Open-Toe-Platform-Wedge_113_55548.html">these</a> & <a href="http://www.urbanog.com/Qupid-Floral-Strappy-Sling-Back-Thong-Sandal_100_55412.html">these</a> today. I'll be stalking my mailbox for the next week.<br />
<br />
- I officially have 2 travel rewards credit cards in my wallet. One is Southwest and the other is AA Delta Skymiles. So now we have rewards domestically as well as internationaly. I was able to get 50,000 miles with southwest for spending $2000 in the first three months and we'll get 50,000 with the AA card when we spend $1000 in the first 3 months. Pretty solid when you already have the money and already have stuff to spend it on, like International flights to England.<br />
<br />
- If you've ever done Myers Briggs then you'll know what I'm talking about here. I'm labeled ENFP but my E and I are practically even. So I am known to go back and forth between the two but lately I've felt way more introverted. My favorite place is at home in comfy clothes hanging out with Tom or my family.<br />
<br />
- This is year 3 for Tomily and as things progress we're starting to have to make some tough decisions. It's so so scary making big life changing choices but we have to do it at some point because we desperately need to both be working. So sacrifices will be coming our way in the nearish future. eek. Fortunately with sacrifices comes some pretty great things. So it won't all be bad!<br />
<br />
- On my way home from work this morning I heard on the radio that Dallas Symphony Orchestra was having a night of Barbra Streisand. I'm like a closet Barbra fan and so I ran/drove home and asked Tom if he would totally hate accompanying me to the show. He said he'd come which is good enough for me ;) We got box seats that may have been the cheapest seats in the house but I find something really fancy about those spots in theaters!! I'm geeking out!!<br />
<br />
-I've discovered recently that I'm a bit of a free spirit. I kind of always felt this inside me but as I've grown older it's becoming more and more evident. This goes hand in hand with me finding myself and being all confused about things. It's mostly to do with work and money. While I know both are necessary I'm determined to create my own path to those things. 9-5 while it might be unavoidable, still gives me the heebeejeebees.<br />
<br />
- I'm playing with the idea of using some essential oils for my asthma and allergies. Anyone using oils? I have two close friends who use them and love it. I'll try anything to get off inhalers.<br />
<br />
- I bought Tom his birthday present a few weeks ago. I can't wait for him to find out what it is. I'm doing my best keeping it a surprise but I'm hopeless with secrets so we'll see.<br />
<br />
- Now that we have miles to use I'm just ITCHING to go on a trip. Cali beaches are soooo calling my name!!!<br />
<br />
- I just bought <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/it-was-me-all-along-andie-mitchell/1119221144?r=1&ean=9780770433246&kpid=9780770433246&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-Book_Under5-_-Q000000633-_-9780770433246">this book</a>. I'm so ready to make a change and to get healthier. I just have a really unhealthy relationship with food. Some of it is so dang tasty and so dang bad for you. So I'm excited to read this one.<br />
<br />
That's all for now :) Have a great weekend everyone!! 90 and sunny on saturday here in DFW!!!!!<br />
<br />Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-60051729178216962892015-03-30T12:41:00.000-07:002015-03-30T12:41:02.473-07:00Trips/Dreams & Allergic Reactions<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been neglecting this space for so long</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which would usually make me feel pretty disappointed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because i love this blog and i've loved writing here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the past two-three years.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am however not disappointed because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my time is being spent elsewhere doing productive things</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like traveling and thinking and laughing and building</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and being real sick for one terrible night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's start with theeeee traveling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img class="addthis_shareable thumbnail" id="main-photo" src="https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e15/11032855_423655824462845_758042995_n.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom and I spent a week exploring Texas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a few weeks ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I posted some pics on instagram but i haven't</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
really relived it all just yet, until now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We stayed in Austin for Two days</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then headed down to San Antonio for Two days and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
finished the trip off in Houston/Galveston.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a blast!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My favorite place was Austin!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Austin reminds me of Cali but in Texas, with less ocean.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone is so laid back and chill and the food is so amazing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the social scene is on point and it's just magic in a bottle!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll (maybe) post a few travel posts about</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
all of the things we did on our trip in the near future. (Hopefully)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Next up is the thinking/laughing/building.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been the best having Tom around 24/7.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's just so fun to have your best friend/love close to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you when you've spent so much time apart and for so long too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It feels like i'm on vacation everyday with him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We spend our days lounging and laughing and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
doing some dreaming and binge watching the walking dead.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's so much fun and I love it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I just started watching the WD like a month or so ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean I'm way behind the times but I'm so glad I finally got into it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is so so so good, we only just started season 5 so no spoilers pleaaseee)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My thinking and building has led me to a business venture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom and I recently had dinner with some good friends of mine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and they are pretty business savvy themselves.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We got to talking about ideas, I have about 1,000</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
business ideas a day, not even kidding.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyways we started talking about how to take action.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take an idea that you really like, that you're passionate about</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and just stop trying to beat it with other ideas.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Just take it and make a move.</div>
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So I've been moving and shaking ever since.</div>
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I'm in the Business Plan portion of my venture</div>
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and it's so exciting to build my pretty little creation!!</div>
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More about that to come, i'm sure!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And finally let's discuss my fin Friday night.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This past friday we were celebrating my sister and brother in law's birthday.</div>
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We went to a Hibachi place in town and everything was going great.</div>
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I had never been to a hibachi place before so this was all new to me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It was awesome, the fire the flips the food, amazing!</div>
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He served up some little appetizers and one of the appetizers</div>
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was shrimp, this is where the night started going downhill.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have always been quite picky about food but</div>
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as i've gotten older i've decided to try more stuff.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So Friday night was the first time I had ever had shrimp.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I thought it was really good, i liked it.</div>
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I only had one shrimp, one pretty good sized shrimp.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sooo I keep eating the rest of the food he is putting out</div>
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but I'm feeling off and i'm quick to realize </div>
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that I haven't felt this way before.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My mouth was feeling weird and so was my throat.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have a fruit allergy where my mouth gets</div>
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itchy and a little puffy with certain fruits so everyone</div>
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kind of thought maybe that was it, but I hadn't eaten any fruit.</div>
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So it was a mystery as to why I was feeling bad.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I finally had to excuse myself at the end of dinner </div>
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and go outside for some fresh air.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Tom went with me and while we were outside</div>
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I started to cry, I didn't mean to cry or want to cry, it just started happening.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We got in the car with my family and</div>
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my crying turned into uncontrollable sobs.</div>
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My breathing became labored and</div>
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I started getting clammy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Then The weirdest things started happening.</div>
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Clammy means I'm close to fainting, but every time</div>
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I've ever fainted i haven't really been aware of it, it just happens so fast.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This time was slow and crazy!</div>
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I just kept saying, I'm going to pass out</div>
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then I started losing my hearing which was SO CRAZY!!</div>
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I started telling my parents I couldn't hear and</div>
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I got them to turn on the cool air which helped me come to a little.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My dad drove us to the closest Prime Care</div>
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and we walked in and there were people in there</div>
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waiting to see a doctor but they pushed me past all of them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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They took some bloodwork and gave me a shot</div>
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for a totally unrelated infection that I had and sent me on my way.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I mean I was expecting something for the allergic reaction</div>
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but I guess they knew i'd be ok after some time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So we left and headed home.</div>
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We were probably in the car for 5 minutes before</div>
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I had to stop the car and do the deed that no one wants</div>
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to do in public, in a church parking lot.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After that I felt much better but then</div>
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I started having an asthma attack and I got</div>
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a horrible rash all over my body.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After some benedryl and some sleep</div>
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I was feeling better, not 100% but better.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm still feeling off from it but I think it's pretty much passed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So we think it was the shrimp but we're not sure.</div>
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Those Hibachi places use so much seasoning and other</div>
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stuff that we're not really sure what it was.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've had a little bit of crab before and it didn't bother me</div>
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but i know that shrimp can bother you even if other shellfish doesn't.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sooooo I'm either allergic to shrimp or hibachi ;)</div>
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I don't really plan on having shrimp again so maybe I'll</div>
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have to try hibachi one more time to see if it's something they use.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Alright, I'll stop there!</div>
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Hope you're all having a great week so far!</div>
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<br /></div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-82473228795972430562015-03-03T14:34:00.001-08:002015-03-03T14:34:11.561-08:00Snow, Roadtrips & Credit Cards<div style="text-align: center;">
A few things have happened since my last post.</div>
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We got snow here in Texas and it</div>
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was like real snow not just ice.</div>
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We usually get iced in rather than snowed in.</div>
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So when we woke up to the fluffy stuff</div>
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it was pretty shocking and so exciting!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Having Tom here when it snowed was so fun</div>
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because he thought it was the craziest thing</div>
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seeing snow in a place he always assumed was</div>
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constantly hot and sunny.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahBbI7w5ZlE3Q0IBaLj0w1KB5wq1qaP1ULjipgk-aFjqbl0ltzr-JqdTxprVyXkWCVS3kTZpA01KWVJ_tGycglbyTEqgzUONWc6Da28YITsV7WBbGVCPnVGRuBGf-GoJgCV_13KD7K7KN/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-03+at+4.06.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahBbI7w5ZlE3Q0IBaLj0w1KB5wq1qaP1ULjipgk-aFjqbl0ltzr-JqdTxprVyXkWCVS3kTZpA01KWVJ_tGycglbyTEqgzUONWc6Da28YITsV7WBbGVCPnVGRuBGf-GoJgCV_13KD7K7KN/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-03+at+4.06.58+PM.png" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtKwHonrvU1qDiYhxaJ9gmJgIJ-sZ6TvFmqFOsIa5UeArCu3P13vyVZguwehltJdbtfYe6MtKlamj-ThQLTmG5O-NqO8EOdfCV9AGpn-FnifL4rl2OEMunHdu4tc_32sAIMASl_c2RVdw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-03+at+4.06.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtKwHonrvU1qDiYhxaJ9gmJgIJ-sZ6TvFmqFOsIa5UeArCu3P13vyVZguwehltJdbtfYe6MtKlamj-ThQLTmG5O-NqO8EOdfCV9AGpn-FnifL4rl2OEMunHdu4tc_32sAIMASl_c2RVdw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-03+at+4.06.50+PM.png" height="634" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So our snow day was pretty fantastic.</div>
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The only downside was we were pretty much</div>
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trapped inside the house for about a week</div>
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because we had an ice storm at the beginning of</div>
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the week and once that was just about gone we</div>
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got all of this wonderful snooowww.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Unfortunately we're still trapped inside the house</div>
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because my house is undergoing some pretty</div>
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major uplifts this week.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We had some foundation issues so we got cracks fixed</div>
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and now the painters are here and Tom and I get</div>
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to stay home with the workers to keep an eye on things</div>
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while my parents are at work.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So we're SO READY to get out of the house.</div>
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Luckily we have a trip coming up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Spring break is next week so we're</div>
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going to use my time off of work to go on a Texas road trip. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Tom has only seen Fort worth, Dallas and some of Houston</div>
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so I'm really excited to take him down to Austin </div>
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and San Antonio and down to the gulf.</div>
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We'll get a nice week away to explore</div>
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this huge state together.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm just really excited for the food</div>
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that we will feast on while we're in these great cities.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The food...I can't wait!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's some fun travel news...</div>
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Tom's sister is getting married next Year in JAMAICA!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqrX_3PCoefN8gYW5bUiGqjizCqzAr4nzSNsmvfMLJew_EMx6pUuJwzkEzX-kXOIVjjb_tD2LxxqwFBwquJdF1GZDTUQJ-zqEzyte6YWP_b-CMhn_1ei9ZGam2umlN1MpyiB3rotzB45V/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-03+at+4.19.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqrX_3PCoefN8gYW5bUiGqjizCqzAr4nzSNsmvfMLJew_EMx6pUuJwzkEzX-kXOIVjjb_tD2LxxqwFBwquJdF1GZDTUQJ-zqEzyte6YWP_b-CMhn_1ei9ZGam2umlN1MpyiB3rotzB45V/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-03+at+4.19.08+PM.png" height="600" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was only a few months ago that we</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
were soaking up the sun in the Dominican Republic</div>
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so we're so excited to have another beachy trip in the works.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This beachy trip got us thinking about money.</div>
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We're doing good on money, no complaints or anything</div>
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but we knew that booking Jamaica would cost a pretty penny</div>
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and if we're going to have to spend some G's to book this trip</div>
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then we might as well be getting rewarded for it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we started looking into a travel rewards credit card.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My cousin recently told me about Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Card.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I looked into it and they were offering 50,000 points if</div>
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you spend $2,000 in the first three months.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sign us up!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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With this Jamaica trip to book we can easily put $2,000</div>
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on the card in the first three months and pay it off in that</div>
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same month so that we get the points and not the interest</div>
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annnndddd build up my credit all at the same time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Credit cards can be really scary because</div>
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no one wants to go into debt but that seems</div>
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to be how a lot of credit card stories end...deebbttt.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So we're going to be crazy, annoyingly </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
careful with this new card.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We want the rewards so we're going to use it</div>
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quite frequently but we're also going to pay it off</div>
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so fast the banks head will spin ;)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So that's pretty much what's happening over here.</div>
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I can't wait to leave on our trip next week.</div>
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I'll post more about it as we go!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a great week!</div>
Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-83809457565740042892015-02-12T12:35:00.002-08:002015-02-12T12:36:18.824-08:00Where have I been?<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello little blog.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I haven't even tried to blog since Tom got back into town.</div>
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What can I say, we've been busy doing nothing and it's been so amazing!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm still a part time nanny so when I'm at work</div>
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Tom is at home hanging out with Winston.</div>
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<br /></div>
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They go for walks and watch netflix</div>
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and basically live the dreeaam ;)</div>
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Also...look at Winsty!! Ha!</div>
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<img class="addthis_shareable thumbnail" src="http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpa1/t51.2885-15/e15/10597444_410949745747236_1277220407_n.jpg" id="main-photo" /></div>
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When I'm off work Tom and I try to go out and do</div>
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some cheap/free stuff to keep us busy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We play a lot of tennis, we're getting pretty good too.</div>
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<img class="addthis_shareable thumbnail" src="http://scontent-b.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e15/10956880_799019396842814_1241280495_n.jpg" id="main-photo" /></div>
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<br /></div>
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We have also started running, not for fun but you know, for hot bods.</div>
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If we want to pay to have fun we like to go bowling.</div>
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Our bowling alley has a special on where you can bowl</div>
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for 2 hours for $8.95 per person.</div>
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It's a steal and it's so much fun!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<img class="addthis_shareable thumbnail" src="http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e15/10946233_400561513450329_1327780662_n.jpg" id="main-photo" /></div>
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We are trying our best to save money</div>
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so most of our dinners are at home.</div>
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We go out once or twice a week max.</div>
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It's nice though because we get the chance to</div>
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do some cooking at home which is always nice.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love learning new recipes and it's fun</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cooking with Tom because he likes to be right</div>
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in there with me so it's something we can do together.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After dinner we usually head upstairs</div>
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for our nightly netflix party featuring</div>
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Parks and Recreation.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We started watching it the second day Tom was here</div>
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and we're now on season 5. Ha!</div>
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It's so hilarious, Ron and April are my faves!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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It's then around 10:30 that I start</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
falling asleep on the couch because i'm</div>
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such a lame-oh-lady.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So that's basically what's been happening here lately.</div>
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It's been nice to take a little blog break,</div>
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I've even been slacking over on instagram which</div>
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has been equally as nice.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We are seriously enjoying this downtime right now</div>
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but there will be more exciting things to come in the near future</div>
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like a spring break trip around Texas!! ;)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
OH and I've got three sales on Jane.com coming up</div>
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over the next three weeks!!!</div>
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These pencils will be on Jane at the end of this month.</div>
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<img class="addthis_shareable thumbnail" src="http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e15/10956817_1542856129303802_673519887_n.jpg" id="main-photo" /></div>
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I hope you're all having a great February.</div>
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I say that in case I'm MIA for the next too weeks ;)</div>
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Oh and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!</div>
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Yay for lovin the peoples you love 365 days a year ;)</div>
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Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1987399996920911855.post-7702591791632090812015-01-25T12:55:00.004-08:002015-01-25T12:55:53.854-08:00Tom is here!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom is here, he's actually been here...for a few days now!</div>
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So I thought it was time I properly announced his arrival ;)</div>
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He got here Thursday afternoon.</div>
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I'm happy to say that the airport was boring,</div>
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nothing crazy happened at all!</div>
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Tom got through customs like a champ.</div>
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That visa line is much shorter than the other lines.</div>
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After we had our little airport moment</div>
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we headed back home to drop off his bags</div>
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and give each other Christmas presents.</div>
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I got him a watch and a few silly things</div>
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like socks and a t-shirt with a cat face on </div>
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a burrito with 'Purrrito' written underneath. ;)</div>
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Tom got me an amazing leather bound journal</div>
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with the quote 'not all who wander are lost'!</div>
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He even got my name put on it!! :)</div>
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He also brought me my cherries.</div>
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They're my favorite candy in the whole</div>
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wide world and they only have them in the UK!</div>
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Then I got some goodies from his parents his</div>
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sister, brother in law and niece. </div>
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It was so nice, felt just like Christmas morning!!</div>
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Our first outing was that night,</div>
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we went to ihop..because it's comfort food to the max</div>
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and their chocolate milk is like...exceptional.</div>
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Tom is settling in like a pro!</div>
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I mean he's been here before so it's not</div>
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all that crazy.</div>
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He's even becoming fast friends with</div>
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our little pup Winston! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwa6_xqJfgNJG749NUmTezkLyZkFSxmvmJdLrIclVvKeTcNPL3ZpHJGoBpVVVVWkriMH0VsPu44VFiqX00i4JFMK1bXKSATNtckMsEo-8cZFwI_TZgRNyAjzYNp67EWcnb_lHyT3oiwhq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-25+at+2.54.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwa6_xqJfgNJG749NUmTezkLyZkFSxmvmJdLrIclVvKeTcNPL3ZpHJGoBpVVVVWkriMH0VsPu44VFiqX00i4JFMK1bXKSATNtckMsEo-8cZFwI_TZgRNyAjzYNp67EWcnb_lHyT3oiwhq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-25+at+2.54.59+PM.png" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
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We're so happy to be back together</div>
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and for six whole months!!</div>
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It's really, really, really great!</div>
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:) :)</div>
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Hopeful Wanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10576389279416682454noreply@blogger.com0